Angela Woolsey | FFXnow

Comstock urged to further dim mistakenly permitted Reston JW Marriott sign

Published March 2, 2026 at 1:45PM | Updated March 2, 2026 at 3:33PM

The existing JW Marriott Reston sign seen from Sunset Hills Road (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fairfax County Planning Commission gave its support last week to an updated Reston Station sign plan — on the condition that developer Comstock Companies reduce the brightness of two digital installations.

Among the signs deemed problematic is a screen identifying the JW Marriott Hotel and Residences that wraps around the southeastern corner of the 26-story building’s roof at 11350 Reston Station Blvd.

News

Apartments under construction on former Merrifield office site

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 2, 2026 at 8:30AM

Construction is underway on the Elms Dunn Loring apartments on the former Dunn Loring Center site in Merrifield (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Housing will soon rise on a vacant lot in Merrifield where an office building had stood for over four decades.

Elm Street Development broke ground at the end of 2025 on its upcoming apartment building at 2722 Merrilee Drive, nearly five years after the project was approved to replace the 1980s-era Dunn Loring Center.

Countywide

BREAKING: Fairfax County casino bill heads to full state House

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 27, 2026 at 6:00PM

House Appropriations Committee legislative fiscal analyst David Reynolds presents Senate Bill 756, which would make Fairfax County eligible for a casino (via Virginia House of Delegates)

It took three attempts by two different patrons, but legislation to potentially allow a casino in Fairfax County appears to be heading toward adoption.

After setting aside a similar bill last year, the Virginia House Appropriations Committee voted 18-4 earlier today (Friday) to advance SB 756, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, to the full chamber.

News

Evacuation order lifted in Centreville after gas explosion

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 27, 2026 at 3:50PM

Police and firefighters respond to a house on Quail Pond Court in Centreville after a natural gas-related explosion (via FCFRD/X)

All Centreville residents displaced by the natural gas leak that resulted in a house explosion and fire on Feb. 15 have now been cleared to return home.

Washington Gas says it restored gas service to the 19 remaining evacuated homes by 10 p.m. on Tuesday (Feb. 24), and the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) has now lifted its evacuation order after detecting no gas in the environment for 48 consecutive hours.

News

Longtime Reston accessibility advocate in need of support to retain housing

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 27, 2026 at 10:00AM

The Reston Accessibility Committee, with Ken Fredgren as its chair, gives a Universal Access Leadership Award to Kaiser Permanente's Allan Aziz for his help securing accessibility upgrades (courtesy Ken Fredgren)

After decades of serving his community, a longtime Reston resident and advocate for people with disabilities is now in need of that same community’s help.

Family friends of former Reston Accessibility Committee (RAC) chair Kenneth Fredgren are seeking to raise $75,000 through GoFundMe so he can stay in an assisted living facility.

News

Over 100 townhomes proposed for first phase of Merrifield office park development

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 26, 2026 at 1:45PM

The proposed first phase of EYA's Prosperity Business Campus redevelopment would include townhomes and a gateway park (via Design Collective/Fairfax County)

If Fairfax County approves the Prosperity Business Campus’ transformation into a residential neighborhood, townhomes will likely be the first element of the project to materialize.

PM Home Associates, an affiliate of the developer EYA, hopes to build 156 townhouses, including 20 affordable dwelling units, as the first phase of its overhaul of the 41-acre industrial office park in Merrifield, according to a final development plan submitted to Fairfax County on Feb. 20.

Countywide

FCPS considers limited bus service for students outside new school boundaries

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 26, 2026 at 9:15AM

A Fairfax County school bus driving down Nutley Street in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County’s first comprehensive school boundary rewrite in decades will affect only a handful of its approximately 177,000 current students, but Superintendent Michelle Reid believes the resulting transportation costs could still be too high to absorb.

The superintendent is expected to recommend tonight (Thursday) that Fairfax County Public Schools provide transportation only to high school seniors who were affected by the boundary changes and opt to remain at their currently assigned school, as permitted by the district’s phasing policy.

News

Fort Belvoir plans training exercise today with simulated gunfire

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 26, 2026 at 8:30AM

Fort Belvoir's Lieber Gate on Richmond Highway (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Residents on and around Fort Belvoir may want to keep some earplugs close at hand today (Thursday).

The U.S. Army installation will host an active shooter preparedness exercise starting at 10 a.m. that could last “several hours” and involve loud noises, including simulated gunshots.

Around Town

Dick’s House of Sport coming to Tysons Corner Center

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 25, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated February 25, 2026 at 6:14PM

Entrance to the former Lord & Taylor store, now occupied by Timeless Living, from the Plaza at Tysons Corner Center (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A major sporting goods store is making a play for Tysons Corner Center.

Dick’s House of Sport is on track to open at the mall in fall 2027, Doug Healey, property owner and developer Macerich’s senior executive vice president for leasing, told investors during an earnings call on Feb. 18.

News

Herndon road safety plan IDs crash hot spots, suggests improvements

By Angela Woolsey

Published February 25, 2026 at 1:45PM

Van Buren Street at the W&OD Trail crossing in Herndon (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Design improvements, reduced default speed limits and campaigns to discourage drunk driving are some of the steps Herndon could take to make its streets safer under a newly proposed plan.

The Town of Herndon is seeking public feedback on its draft Roadway Safety Action Plan, which evaluated current road conditions and recommends strategies for achieving an ambitious goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries in the next 12 years.